The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Monday the launch of a multi-entry Umrah visa, which allows the beneficiary to enter the Kingdom multiple times during its validity period of 365 days from the date of issuance, with a total stay of up to 90 days during the visa validity period, in a step aimed at facilitating the Umrah pilgrim's journey and providing more flexible options for planning the visit and performing Umrah.

The ministry stressed that the launch of the visa is an extension of the support that the Guests of God service system receives from the Kingdom's leadership, and in the context of developing services provided to pilgrims and Umrah performers, and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program in facilitating arrival, enriching the experience, and raising service efficiency, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

It explained that the available stay period is calculated cumulatively from a total of 90 days, according to the number of days the Umrah pilgrim remains in the Kingdom during each visit, allowing him to benefit from the visa for multiple visits throughout its validity period, in accordance with the approved regulatory controls.

Multi-entry Umrah visa

The ministry stated that benefiting from the visa requires purchasing a service package from one of the approved service providers in the 'Nusuk' system for each visit, provided that the package duration does not exceed the number of remaining and available days on the visa, with adherence to the regulations governing the durations of programs and services provided to Umrah pilgrims.

It added that entering the Kingdom under the visa is linked to issuing an Umrah permit through the 'Nusuk' application before arrival, and aligning the permit date with the approved package dates, in addition to meeting travel and entry eligibility requirements.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah indicated that the first visit process begins with purchasing the service package through one of the package providers available in the 'Nusuk' system, then submitting a visa issuance request and completing its processing with the relevant authorities, verifying travel eligibility before the beneficiary boards the plane, and finally recording entry data upon arrival and updating it upon departure, including calculating the remaining stay period.

Can the Umrah visa be used for performing Hajj?

For subsequent visits, the holder of the multi-entry Umrah visa must purchase a new package from one of the approved service providers, issue an Umrah permit through the 'Nusuk' application, then complete the procedures to verify fulfillment of entry requirements and travel eligibility, before recording entry and exit data and updating the remaining balance of the stay period.

The ministry noted that the visa status is deactivated after each departure from the Kingdom, and will be reactivated for the next visit after meeting regulatory requirements. It is also not activated for entry during the Hajj season, starting from the first day of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, i.e., about 43 days.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the multi-entry Umrah visa enhances planning flexibility for the visit and supports the integration of digital and operational services related to the Umrah pilgrim's journey, as part of the ministry's efforts to provide a more convenient and high-quality experience from planning the arrival until leaving the Kingdom.